According to the FBI, "Terrorism is defined in the Code of Federal Regulations as 'the unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.'” (http://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/terrorism-2002-2005)

This means that almost any exercise of free speech that disrupts business-as-usual can be considered unlawful coercion. It also means that large areas of routine criminality -- from extortion to gangs keeping other gangs off their turf -- can be defined the same way.

It's one hell of a slippery slope, and I really don't want to find out how far they can push it.

Uploaded on Jul 25, 2008

Officers beat a homeless man for eating sunflower seeds on San Julian Street as onlookers plead for them to stop. Man is subsequently taken away in an ambulance.